Sound and motion-picture reproducing system



Aug. 6, 1929. F. H. OWENS SOUND AND MOTION PICTURE REPRODUCING SYSTEM Original Filed June 4, 1923 INVENTOR. 1 596722 6242 1 fizz/(972a,

' ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES:

FREEMAN H. OWENS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SOUND.AND MOTIONrPICTUBE BEPRODUCING SYSTEM.

Original application filed June 4, 1923, Serial No. 643,154. Divided and this application filed. May 19,,

1927, Serial No; 192,725.

My invention relates broadly to combined sound and motion picture systems and more particularly to a method of recording sound upon light sensitive film.

: This application is a division of my application, Serial Number 643,154, filedJune 4, 1923.

The object of my invention is to provide a sound recording camera arranged in a it telephone circuit with amplifying means in said circuit for subjecting the sensitized film to variable light rays in accordance with the operation of the telephone circuit for transferring telephonic impressions of sound waves on a sensitized film with a sound translating circuit coacting with the light recording system so that the condition of recording on the ,film may be observed throughout the period of operation of the 2 telephone circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of sound recording apparatus with means for observing the operation of the recording apparatus at'all times.

My invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing which shows diagrammaticallythe arrangement of the telephone circuit and the light recording apparatus with the observing circuit associated therewith. v Y

In the diagram, reference letter C designates the sound transmitting, telephone cireuit. D represents the sound receiving circuit and E designates an auxiliary sound receiving circuit. The circuit C includes a microphone F and electron tubes H and I- constituting an audio frequency amplifier. A telephone G is arranged in the output circuit of the audio frequency amplifier and is acoustically coupled to a chamber J opening to the mouthpiece K of the microphone L of the firstsound receiving circuit D.

The sound receiving circuit D includes a lamp A which constitutes part of a sound I camera 15 which is mounted on a horizontal slide 19 at one end of a tube or container 20, the opposite end of the container being associated with a coacting plate 21 in which is located a very narrow lateral slit 22 in relation to the film over which a sensitized film 23 is pressed by a roller 27 arranged to move.

In order that the attendant or operator of the camera may hear the sounds as the same are produced or during the acts of Renewed June 6, 1929.

- heated from battery B and there is arranged in the-input circuit the inductance V and in the output circuit the inductance U. The out-put circuit includes high potential source Q and the telephones P. By this arrangement the microphone F is positioned within the range of the performer and the sound amplified through audio frequency amplifier constituted by tubes H and I, and delivered by the telephone G to the chamber J from which the sounds pass to the microphone L to the first sound receiving circuit. The intensity of the light at the cell Ayaries with the telephonic current in the circuit D so that the telephonic current is photographically recorded upon the film 23 as it is pulled over the drum 27 by the sprocket 28. In order to check the process of recording on the film, the circuit E is actuated simultaneously with the recording process and any number of branch telephone circuits may extend from this point of headsets P enabling the camera operator to keep close check upon the recording process. Without the arrangement of my invention, the sound might never be recorded upon the film, as the recording apparatus might be entirely inactive. Large portions of the film might pass the slot 22 without any action from the recording lamp A but with the checking circuit arranged in accordance with my invention, close observation may be made upon the system at all times.

While I have described my invention 111 its preferred embodiment, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon the invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: I

1. In combination, a light source having connected thereto a source of sound modulated electrical energy, a film strip adjacent 'to said light source, part of the light rays emitted by said light source being directed to said film strip for recording thereon a sound record, a light sensitive cell positioned adjacent to said light source directly in the unobstructedpathof light rays emitted from said light source for intercepting a part of said light'rays, and connections from said light sensitive element to a sound reproducing circuit.

2. In a system for recording sound upon film, a housing located adjacent said film, a variable light source and an independent light sensitive element projecting into said housing in the pathof said light source for receiving light rays directly firoin said light source, said light source and said light sensitive element being disposed upon the same side or said film strip, means for varying the intensity of said light source in accordance with sound vibrations and independent means connected with said light sensitive element for observing the character of the light fluctuations simultaneously with the impression thereof upon said film.

3. In a system for recording sound upon film, a housing arranged adjacent a film, a variable light source in said housing for variably afiecting the film in accordance with sound vibrations, a light sensitive element Within said housing in a position adjacent said film and in a position to receive a portion of the rays from said variable light source, said light sensitive element being disposed on the same side of the film as the said light source, and a telephone reproducing circuit connected with said light sensitive element -for continuously observing the condition of operation of said variable light source with respect to said film.

4. In a system for determining the changes in intensity of actinic light, an element arranged to emit light, means for controlling the intensity of the emitted light in accordance with sound vibrations, means for establishing a permanent record of the vibrations.

5. in a system for recording sound upon film, a source of sound modulated light, the light from said source being passed to a film, a light sensitive element-positioned to be afiected by said light during its passugeto the film and means connected with said light sensitiveclement for observing the character of-said sound modulated light simultaneously with the recording thereof upon the 6. in a system for recording sound upon film, a source of sound modulated light, the light from said, source bein passed to film, a light sensitive element positioned be afiected by said light during its passage to the'filni and for translating said light to electric impulses, and means connected to said light sensitive element for rendering said electric impulses audible whereby the character or" the sound being recorded may be observedsimultaneously with the recording thereof. I

7.- ln combination, a light source having connected thereto a source of sound modulated light, a film strip adjacent to said light source, part of the light rays emitted by said light source being directed to said film strip for recording thereon a sound record, a light sensitive cell positioned ad jacent to said light source in the path or" light rays emitted from said light source, for intercepting a partof said light rays, and connections from said light sensitive element to a sound reproducing circuit.

in testimony whereof ll afiix my signature.

- FREEMAN H. OWENS. 

